Knitcraft CAL AW18 – Falling Leaves Crochet Along

Cosy up in style this season with a handmade blanket, planned with the perfect yarn selection. The Falling Leaves CAL features a range of techniques, suitable for beginners and intermediate level crocheters. The blanket consists of a number of different style blocks, with a chic cream, mustard and plum colour scheme.

Every Friday from 19th October we will be adding a section of our pattern to the blog for you to follow and enjoy. Over the course of seven weeks, you’ll be able to piece together an autumnal crochet blanket design.

Make sure to join our Knitcraft Crochet Along page on Facebook, where you can meet other people joining in on the CAL and find answers to any questions you may have.

The project bundle includes the three shades of Women’s Institute Soft and Smooth yarn. Each ball is 400g, and the bundle gives you three balls of Cream, one ball of Plum and three balls of Mustard. This bundle is an online exclusive, so click the button below to purchase on the Hobbycraft website.

At the very beginning of a bobble row pick up plum, lay plum against your work.

Now work your double crochets as per the pattern, crocheting over the plum yarn.

When the pattern states to make bobble move the main colour yarn out of the way (to the back of your work), pick up the plum yarn and yarn over (leaving the main colour stitch on your hook).

Insert your hook back into the same stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should now have 1 plum and 1 main colour loop on the hook).

*Yarn over, insert hook back into stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops** You should now have 2 plum and 1 main colour loops on the hook.

Repeat from * to ** a further 3 times. You should now have 5 plum and one main colour loops on the hook.

Pick up the main colour yarn that you moved to the back, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on your hook.

Give the plum yarn a little tug so it sits snug, your next double crochet will need to be a little tight.

You can then push the bobble through to the front.

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

mb – make bobble – at the very beginning of a bobble row pick up plum, lay plum against your work. Now work your double crochets as per the pattern, crocheting over the plum yarn. When the pattern states to make bobble move the main colour yarn out of the way (to the back of your work), pick up the plum yarn and yarn over (leaving the main colour stitch on your hook). Insert hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should now have 1 plum and 1 main colour loop on the hook).

*Yarn over, insert hook back into stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops**

(you should now have 2 plum and 1 main colour loops on the hook)

Pattern note: Ch1 does not count as a stitch

Method (make 9)

Using cream, ch24

Row 1

Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work 1dc in each st across. Turn (23dc)

Row 2

Ch1, work 1dc in each st across. Turn (23dc)

Row 3

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 4

Ch1, work 2dc, mb, work *1dc in the next 5sts. mb* repeat once more. Work 1dc in the next 5sts, mb, then work 1dc in next 2sts, fasten off plum. Turn (19dc, 4 bobbles)

Rows 5-7

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 8

Ch1, work 5dc, mb, work 1dc in the next 5sts. mb, work 1dc in the next 5sts, mb, then work 1dc in next 5sts, fasten off plum. Turn (19dc, 3 bobbles)

Row 9- 11

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 12

Repeat row 4 (19dc, 4 bobbles)

Rows 13-15

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 16

Repeat Row 8 (19dc, 3 bobbles)

Row 17 – 19

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 20

Repeat row 4 (19dc, 4 bobbles)

Row 21 – 23

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Row 24

Repeat row 8 (19dc, 3 bobbles)

Row 25 – 26

Repeat row 2 (23dc)

Border

Using cream work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc)

Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

Work 1tr into the 4th ch from the hook, work 1tr in st across. Turn (22 sts)

Row 2

Ch3 (counts as a st throughout), 1tr into the next st, work *bptr around each of the next 4sts, tr in the next 3sts. Repeat from * once more. Bptr around each of the next 4sts, tr in the last 2sts (working the last tr into the top of the ch3 from previous row). Turn (10tr, 12bptr)

Row 3

Ch3, 1tr into the next st, *skip 2sts, work fpdtr around next 2sts, working in front of the last 2sts fpdtr in

skipped sts, tr in the next 3sts. Repeat from * once more. Skip 2sts, work fpdtr in next 2sts, working in front of the last 2sts fpdtr in skipped sts, tr in the next 2sts. Turn (10tr, 12fpdtr)

Using the same colour as your block work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc)

Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

Work 1tr into the 3rd ch from the hook, work 1tr in st across. Turn (23 sts)

Change to Mustard or Cream

Rows 2 – 4

Ch3 (counts as a st), tr into each st across (23)

Change to Cream or Mustard

Row 5

Repeat row 2 (23)

Change to Plum

Rows 6 – 8

Repeat row 2 (23)

Change to Cream or Mustard

Row 9

Repeat row 2 (23)

Change to Mustard or Cream

Rows 10 – 12

Repeat row 2 (23)

Change to Cream or Mustard

Row 13

Repeat row 2 (23)

Border

Using Mustard or Cream work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc)

Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

What is Tapestry Crochet? Tapestry Crochet is very similar to standard crochet; it uses ordinary stitches, but uses different coloured yarn at the same time. So you crochet in usual way but change yarns from time to time to create a pattern. There are usually two types of instructions available, one is written and one is chart. We have provided a chart for you as it is much easier and allows you to see where the colour changes happen. On simple patterns its much easier to count too! You will follow the chart back and forth as you turn your work, both sides of the block will look the same. It is important not to crochet tightly. We are going to work with both cream and mustard, when the chart calls for a particular colour we will simply crochet over the colour we are not using and then pick it up again when we need it.

Please make sure you watch the YouTube tutorial.

Stitch abbreviations ch – chain dc – double crochet

Pattern notes Please note, tapestry crochet does not suit everybody, you do not have to complete this pattern if it is not for you, you can swap this out for any other crochet block throughout this CAL.

Ch1 does not count as a stitch

When changing colour, on the last st, before you complete the last yarn over, bring the new colour up and yarn over with the new colour. Continue to work over the colour you no longer need to use.

Method – make 9 blocks (5 using the first chart, 4 using the second)

Using cream or mustard ch 27Row 1 Work dc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each st across, changing colour on the last yarn over. (26)Rows 2 – 26 Follow the charts below, do not fasten off. (26)

First Chart

Second Chart

Border Using mustard or cream work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc) Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

Pattern notes Ch1 does not count as a stitch. If you prefer you can use invisible thread to sew the appliqués on. The leaf appliqués are made using a smaller hook and will not lay flat.

Method – make 9 blocks Using cream, ch24Row 1 htr in second ch from hook, htr in each ch across. Ch1 (does not count as a st), and turn. (23)Row 2 htr in each st across, ch1 (does not count as a st) and turn (23)Rows 3-18 Repeat row 2 (23)Border Using cream work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc) Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

Leaf appliqués – use a 4.5mm hook

Oak Leaf – make 2 in plum and 2 in mustard

Ch16Row 1 tr in the third ch from hook tr in the next 3 chs htr in the next 4 chs dc in the last 6 chs ch3, slst in the second ch from hook, slst in the third ch (this creates the ‘tail’ of the leaf)Row 2 Working in the other side of your original ch, slst in the first ch dc in the next ch htr in the next ch dc, ch2, slst in the next ch slst in the next ch dc in the next ch htr in the next ch tr in the next ch tr, ch3, slst in the next ch dc in the next ch htr in the next ch tr in the next ch tr, ch3, slst in the next ch tr x4 in the next chRow 3 We will now be working back in to row one. Your first st is made up of the 2 chs you skipped when you placed a tr in the third st from the hook, slst into the top of the ch.

slst, ch3, tr in the next st tr in the next st htr in the next st dc in the next st slst, ch3, tr in the next st tr in the next st htr in the next st dc in the next st slst in the next st slst, ch2, dc in the next st htr in the next st dc in the next st slst in the last 2 sts Fasten off yarn leaving one long tail to sew the leaf to the block. Only sew the leaf down the ‘spine’, leaving the edges to curl up. Sew a mustard leaf and a plum leaf on 2 blocks

Elm leaf – make 2 in plum and 2 in mustard

ch13Row 1 slst in second ch from hook dc in the next ch tr in the next ch dtr in the next 2 chs ttr in the next 2 chs dtr in the next 2 chs tr in the next ch dc in the next ch slst in the last ch ch3, slst in the second ch from hook, slst in the third ch (this creates the ‘tail’ of the leaf)Row 2 Working in the other side of your original ch, slst in the first ch dc in the next ch tr in the next ch dtr in the next 2 chs ttr in the next 2 chs dtr in the next 2 chs tr in the next ch dc in the next ch slst in the last ch Fasten off yarn leaving one long tail to sew the leaf to the block. Only sew the leaf down the ‘spine’, leaving the edges to curl up. Sew a mustard leaf and a plum leaf on 2 blocks

Birch leaf – make 2 in plum and 2 in mustard

ch9Row 1 dc in the second ch from hook htr in the next ch tr in the next 2 chs dtr in the next ch tr in the next 2 chs dc x4 in the last chRow 2 Working in the other side of your original ch, tr in the first ch tr in the next ch dtr in the next ch tr in the next 2 ch htr in the next ch dc in the next ch slst in the last chRow 3 We will now work around the whole leaf dc x9 ch3, slst in the second ch from hook, slst in the third ch (this creates the ‘tail’ of the leaf) dc x9 slst in the last st Fasten off yarn leaving one long tail to sew the leaf to the block. Only sew the leaf down the ‘spine’, leaving the edges to curl up. Sew a mustard leaf and a plum leaf on 2 blocks

Willow leaf – make 2 in plum and 2 in mustard

ch18Row 1 slst in the second ch from hook dc in the next ch htr in the next ch tr in the next 4 chs dtr in the next 5 chs tr in the next 2 chs htr in the next ch dc in the next ch slst in the last ch Fasten off yarn, rejoin in the first dc of row 1 to start row 2Row 2 dc in the first st htr in the next st tr in the next 5 sts htr in the next 3 sts dc in the next 2 sts slst in the next 4 sts Fasten off yarn leaving one long tail to sew the leaf to the block. Only sew the leaf down the ‘spine’, leaving the edges to curl up. Sew a mustard leaf and a plum leaf on 2 blocks

Poplar leaf – make one in plum and 1 in mustard

Make a magic circle, ch1 (does not count as a st)Round 1 7tr in ring. Slst into first tr to join ch3, slst in the second ch from hook, slst in the third ch (this creates the ‘tail’ of the leaf)Round 2 dc, htr in the next st htr, tr in the next st tr, dtr in the next st dtr, ttr, dtr in the next st dtr, tr in the next st tr, htr in the next st htr, dc in the next st slst in the next st Fasten off yarn leaving one long tail to sew the leaf to the block. Only sew the leaf down the ‘spine’, leaving the edges to curl up. Sew a mustard leaf and a plum leaf on 1 block

Materials Womens Institute Soft and Smooth Aran in Mustard and Plum 5.5mm crochet hook Scissors Needle Stitch abbreviations ch – chain dc – double crochet mb – make bobble – at the very beginning of a bobble row pick up plum, lay plum against your work. Now work your double crochets as per the pattern, crocheting over the plum yarn. When the pattern states to make bobble move the main colour yarn out of the way (to the back of your work), pick up the plum yarn and yarn over (leaving the main colour stitch on your hook). Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (you should now have 1 plum and 1 main colour loop on the hook). *Yarn over, insert hook back into stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops** (you should now have 2 plum and 1 main colour loops on the hook) Repeat from * to ** a further 3 times. You should now have 5 plum and one main colour loops on the hook Pick up the main colour yarn that you moved to the back, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on your hook. Give the plum yarn a little tug so it sits snug, your next double crochet will need to be a little tight. You can then push the bobble through to the front.

Border Using mustard work ch1, 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the last st, Continue to work around the block, evenly placing a total of 23 dc into each side with a ch2 in each corner, you will need to work these stitches evenly. Join with a slst and fasten off yarn (92dc) Using Plum, join yarn into the last dc of any side, ch1, dc, in the same st. *dc into the ch2 corner sp, ch2, dc in the same space. Work 1dc into each st along the side. Repeat from * until the end, join with a slst. Fasten off yarn (100dc, 4 ch2 corner spaces)

You can join the blocks using whatever method you prefer in whatever order you choose. We have provided our method below along with a schematic to show where we have placed the blocks

Method

We have joined the blocks with the wrong side facing, through the back loops of both blocks using a slip stitch.

Schematic

1

2a

5a

3a

4a

6

6

3b

4b

5c

2b

1

1

4a

3a

2a

5d

6

6

5b

2b

4b

3b

1

1

2a

5e

3a

4a

6

6

3b

4b

5a

2b

1

1

4a

3a

2a

5c

6

6

5d

2b

4b

3b

1

1

2a

5b

3a

4a

6

1 – Cream bobbles (9)

2a – Cream cable (5)

2b – Mustard cable (4)

3a – Thick mustard stripes (turned vertical) (5)

3b – Thick cream stripes (horizontal) (4)

4a – Cream triangles (5)

4b – Mustard triangles (4)

5a – Oak leaf (2)

5b – Elm leaf (2)

5c – Birch leaf (2)

5d – Willow leaf (2)

5e – Poplar leaf (1)

6 – Mustard bobbles (9)

Border

Method

Join Plum, join with a slst into any dc.

Round 1

Ch1, work 1dc in each st across, working a dc, ch1,dc into each of the 4 corners, this will pull all of your joins together. Do not fasten off. Turn

Round 2

Ch3, work 1tr in each st across, working a tr, ch1, tr into each of the 4 corners, join with a slst to the top of the beg ch3. Fasten off plum.

Round 4

Join cream with a slst into any tr, Ch3, work 1tr in each st across, working a tr, ch1, tr into each of the 4 corners, join with a slst to the top of the beg ch3. Fasten off cream

Round 5

Join plum with a slst into any tr, Ch3, work 1tr in each st across, working a tr, ch1, tr into each of the 4 corners, join with a slst to the top of the beg ch3. Fasten off plum

Tassels

Tassels finish off blankets just nicely and they are so easily done! For falling leaves we have used one strand of plum, mustard and cream. Tassels can be made in many different ways, but here is the method we have used

wrap all 3 strands of the yarn around the long side of a dvd case, wrap all 3 strands around 15 times.

Slide the strands off of the case

Tie some yarn around the top of the tassel so that it is secure

Cut the other end of tassel and trim neatly

A video tutorial will be available on the Knitcraft Crochet Along (CAL) Page on Facebook